COUNSELING DIABETICS CALLED LOYALTY BUILDER

Sales of diabetes products are skyrocketing -- expected to more than double from $2.3 billion in 1994 to $5.6 billion by 2001 -- and supermarket pharmacies can increase their share of them.The key, according to some industry observers, is strengthened and more creative patient counseling and education programs. Such services may not instantly increase revenues, but could have other types of benefits

Sales of diabetes products are skyrocketing -- expected to more than double from $2.3 billion in 1994 to $5.6 billion by 2001 -- and supermarket pharmacies can increase their share of them.

The key, according to some industry observers, is strengthened and more creative patient counseling and education programs. Such services may not instantly increase revenues, but could have other types of benefits -- mainly increased customer loyalty.